Drummer Ben Sesar - Matched Grip Versus Traditional Grip

Drummer Ben Sesar, who provides the beat both in studio and on the road for Brad Paisley, talks about his switch from matched grip to traditional grip.

"Matched grip always felt tight to me. I played 28 years matched … not really knowing any better … that’s just kind of how I grew up playing. But as my senses kind of became more acute and I started paying more attention to movement and economy of motion, I started to look at the things that were holding me back. And that kind of brought me to the grip. 

"I started realizing that matched was kind of getting in my way a little bit. Not only that, but I felt kind of tight. And conversely, when I held the stick with traditional grip, even though I couldn’t play (that way yet), I felt this kind of openness take over. 

"And then, as far as timing, matched is a very linear movement. And I really try to place all of my note attacks purposefully. It’s almost like archery. You are hitting a red dot in the center. I noticed with matched it’s so economical and linear that the note would get there before my brain wanted it to. So I almost needed the distance that the stick traveled to take longer. And traditional has that rounded sort of path to it. It’s not as linear."


Check out more great insights from Ben at bensesar.com

---